Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the voluntary element of the Government's decentralisation programme and on restrictions which civil servants will face in terms of promotion if they do not volunteer to relocate. [14428/04]

Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I have made it clear on many occasions that the decentralisation programme will operate on a voluntary basis. While decentralisation will inevitably change certain aspects of the way in which the public service operates, there will, broadly speaking, continue to be the same promotion opportunities across the service.

The decentralised nature of the service will mean that public servants will, in future, have to consider their career prospects in the light of opportunities that arise both in Dublin and outside Dublin. The issue of regional promotion structures is one which, I would expect, will arise in discussions with the public service unions. I am confident that arrangements will be put in place to ensure that sufficient staff are available to carry out the work of the Department and agencies involved in the decentralisation programme.